KD and Westbrook combine for 72 to lead Sunday’s S&Ds

Oklahoma City’s two-pronged All-Star combo went off with career playoff games Sunday night when the Thunder needed it most.

Kevin Durant notched 41 points and Russell Westbrook chipped in with 31 to lead the Thunder to a tight 107-103 Game 1 victory over Denver.

The duo’s big nights left Denver players vowing for a change when Game 2 is played.

“We have to limit one of them,” Denver forward Kenyon Martin told the Associated Press. “They can’t go for 30 or 40. I think our concepts of paying attention to everyone else was great.

“Everything we needed to do, we did—except for limit Durant and Westbrook.”

Durant hit 9-for-13 down the stretch to lead Oklahoma City’s first victory in a playoff opener since 1998 when they were the Seattle SuperSonics.

“They made it tough,” Durant told the Oklahoman. “I hit some good shots with some tough defense.”

Both were prime contributors to head Sunday’s Studs and Duds.

STUDS

Oklahoma City F Kevin Durant: Erupted for 41 points, nine rebounds and was plus-2 in the Thunder’s 107-103 Game 1 victory over Denver.

New Orleans G Chris Paul: Scored 17 of his team-high 33 points in the fourth quarter to help orchestrate the Jazz’s 109-100 upset at the Los Angeles Lakers. Paul also added 14 assists, seven rebounds, four steals and was plus-7 in the Hornets’ triumph.

Oklahoma City G Russell Westbrook: Went for 31 points, six rebounds and seven assists in the Thunder’s victory over the Nuggets.

Memphis F Zach Randolph: Muscled for 25 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, two turnovers and was plus-2 in the Grizzlies’ 101-98 Game 1 upset over San Antonio.

Boston G Ray Allen: Sank the go-ahead 3-pointer with 12 seconds left to Boston to an 87-85 comeback Game 1 victory over New York. Allen hit 9-for-15 from the field, added six rebounds and was plus-4 in the victory.

Memphis C Marc Gasol: Notched 24 points on 9-for-10 shooting from the field, grabbed nine rebounds, provided three assists, blocked two shots and was plus-8 in the Grizzlies’ victory over the Spurs. It snapped a record 12-game playoff losing streak for the Grizzlies.

Memphis F Shane Battier: Hit the go-ahead 24-foot 3-pointer with 23.9 seconds left, part of a 10-point effort off the bench in the Grizzlies’ upset at San Antonio.

Boston F Kevin Garnett: Went for 15 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, three steals and was plus-3 in the Celtics’ victory over New York.

New Orleans C Aaron Gray: Scored 12 points on 5-for-5 shooting from the field and was plus-25 in 20 productive minutes in the Hornets’ victory over the Lakers.

Boston G Rajon Rondo: Produced 10 points, nine rebounds, nine assists and was plus-2 in the Celtics’ victory over the Knicks.

Los Angeles Lakers G Kobe Bryant: Went for 34 points, four rebounds, five assists and was plus-2 in the Lakers’ loss to New Orleans.

New York F Amar’e Stoudemire: Tallied 28 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and blocked two shots in the Knicks’ loss to the Celtics.

Denver C Nene: Notched 22 points 0n 9-for-11 shooting from the field, grabbed eight rebounds and produced two steals in the Nuggets’ loss at Oklahoma City.

San Antonio F Tim Duncan: Went for 16 points and 13 rebounds in the Spurs’ loss against Memphis.

DUDS

New York F Carmelo Anthony: Struggled through a 5-for-18 shooting effort, including missing a game-winning 3-pointer with 2 seconds to go and was called for an offensive foul on the previous possession. Anthony misfired 10 of 11 shots in the second half and had five turnovers.

San Antonio G Tony Parker: Scored a team-high 20 points, but hit only 4-for-16 from the field and had a late defensive miscue that allowed Shane Battier to become open for the game-winning shot against Memphis.

Los Angeles Lakers F Pau Gasol: Clanked through a 2-for-9 shooting effort and was limited to eight points in the Lakers’ loss to the Hornets.

Denver G Raymond Felton: Went 4-for-11 from the field with two turnovers and was minus-8 in the Nuggets’ loss to Oklahoma City.